What Exactly Are RFID Cards?

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) cards are used to track, identify, and control access. The cards contain an RFID microchip that contains all of the data required for specific applications.

RFID cards operate on various frequency bands, such as 125 kHz Low Frequency (LF), 13.56 MHz High Frequency (HF), and 860-960 Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) (UHF). Each card's frequency band will determine its applications. A comprehensive RFID card guide can be found here.

What Exactly Are RFID Cards?

These are contactless cards with an RFID chip that stores all relevant data. The data is transmitted via radio waves and is read by an RFID reader. The data will then be decoded and transmitted to an integrated software for analysis and presentation by the reader. The entire procedure is quick and dependable - it will only take a few seconds!

Unlike traditional magnetic or barcoded cards, RFID cards do not require a swipe to read the encoded data. Instead, RFID cards only need to be close to the reader, which will pick up the signals and complete the transaction quickly.

RFID Card Varieties

RFID cards are classified according to the type of operations they perform and the frequency strength of the embedded RFID tag.

RFID Card Classification Based on Operation Type

RFID Cards that are Active

These cards have a battery-powered tag that emits signals indefinitely. The presence of an RFID reader is not required for them to release and broadcast the signals.

The cards are primarily used in high-speed environments, such as toll booths, to track high-value assets. Furthermore, they have a greater read range than passive tags and are more expensive.

RFID Passive Cards

Passive tags, unlike active tags, do not have an internal power source. They rely on electromagnetic energy that an RFID reader emits and transmits. As a result, these tags are inoperable until an RFID reader is introduced.

They are primarily used for access control, supply chain management, and smart labeling. They are also less expensive than active cards, making them popular in industries and organizations.

RFID Cards that are Semi-Passive

Semi-passive RFID cards have an integrated circuit, an antenna, and a battery. While these characteristics are nearly identical to RFID cards, there is one distinction: semi-passive cards lack an onboard transmitter.

As a result, they have a smaller read range than active ones. However, the addition of a battery allows for the addition of additional features to the card, such as real-time trackers, sensors, and sound notifications.

RFID Card Classification Based on RFID Chip Frequency Wavelength

RFID cards can also be classified according to the type of RFID chip used in their manufacture. This category includes three main types of RFID cards:

RFID Cards with Low Frequency (LF)

These cards have LF RFID tags embedded in them (30 kHz to 300 kHz). They have a slower read rate and a relatively short read distance.

The presence of metals and liquids, however, has no effect on the functionality of these cards. As a result, they can be used in moist and metallic environments.

RFID Cards with High Frequency

These cards operate at frequencies ranging from 3 MHz to 30 MHz. They have more memory and a greater read range than low-frequency cards. As a result, they are well suited to tasks such as library management and transportation management.

RFID Cards with Ultra-High Frequency (UHF)

These cards operate between 300 MHz and 3 GHz. They are less expensive than both the low-frequency and high-frequency cards.

They are primarily employed in asset tracking and inventory management.

RFID Card Utilization

RFID cards are being used in a variety of industries, including access control, supply chain management, and contactless payment. In this section, we go over the various RFID card applications that will make your life easier.

RFID cards have two primary applications: contactless payments and access control.

1. RFID Cards for Contactless Transactions

RFID cards are used in restaurants, grocery stores, and other retail outlets to make payments quickly and conveniently. When you use an RFID card to pay your bills, you'll only need a few seconds to check out!

What exactly is contactless payment?

To make payments, credit card holders used to have to swipe their cards through a magnetic reader. This method would take a long time because it required direct contact between the scanner and the card, which takes time.

With technological advancements, cardholders can use contactless payment options to pay their bills without all of these hassles. When using this method, all you have to do is tap or wave your RFID card over an RFID reader, and your payment will be processed instantly.

This tap-and-go RFID card payment method is convenient. Other RFID options, such as wristbands, watches, and smartphones, are available. This variety provides you with a plethora of options for paying your bills using the contactless method.

What is RFID Card Contactless Payment?

As previously stated, your RFID card contains an embedded RFID chip that stores your data. An RFID reader detects radio waves emitted by the microchip.

To pay your bills using the RFID card contactless technique, you must place the card near an RFID reader (no direct line required). The reader/scanner will detect radio signals, communicate with the card, and process all transactions. The payment terminal will indicate whether the payment was successful or not after a few seconds.

Why Isn't RFID Card Contactless Payment Working?

If you've tried unsuccessfully to pay your bills with your RFID card, there must be a legitimate reason for the failure. Some of the possible causes of RFID card contactless payment failure include:

There are insufficient funds in your account. If the funds in your account are insufficient to cover the bill, an error message will appear. This is the most common and obvious cause of RFID card failures.

You've spent all of your daily spending allowance. A daily spending limit may be imposed by some regions or banks. If you go over the limit, your payment request will be denied.

For reasons of security. If the system detects suspicious activity on your account, it may temporarily block your card as a security measure. Furthermore, some cards may require you to enter your PIN or password after a certain number of daily transactions.

Your card has not been activated. New RFID credit/debit cards must be activated before being used for contactless payments. To activate the card and unlock the payment option, first-time card users must set their pins.

Your card has been damaged. You may be unable to use contactless payment if your card is physically damaged. Water ingress, excessive pressure, and excessive sunlight, among many other natural and man-made causes, can all cause damage. If this is the case, you must contact your provider to obtain a new RFID credit/debit card for a fee.

Contactless payments are not supported by the card reader. If a merchant does not have a POS terminal that accepts contactless payments, you will be unable to make payments using that method. Before you begin shopping, always check for contactless payment compatibility.

Without a doubt, one of the most advantageous applications of RFID cards is contactless payment. It not only provides convenience, but it also speeds up the checkout process, making shopping more enjoyable. If you have trouble completing your contactless payment, check your card for any of the reasons listed above.

2. RFID Access Control Cards

RFID access cards are an effective way to maintain security in many organizations. The cards are especially useful if you have restricted areas that only authorized people can access.

RFID cards are equipped with small computer chips that can store up to 32 kilobytes of data. This amount of space is sufficient to store a unique identification code for a specific individual. Because the data is encrypted, criminals cannot steal it and use it for fraudulent purposes.

Even better, an authorized security officer can overwrite or modify the data, making them highly flexible and cost-effective.

RFID Access Card Operation

RFID cards, as previously stated, contain an RFID chip that contains data for specific individuals. Radio waves can be used to transmit this data to an RFID reader.

When the cardholder approaches a reader, the electromagnetic wave from the reader excites the chip. It will then emit radio signals that the reader will detect. As a result, the cardholder's data will be captured and interpreted by the reader.

In the market, there are two types of RFID access cards. They are as follows:

RFID Proximity Cards These are straightforward cards that provide one-way data transmission from the card to the scanner/reader. They only need to be close to the reader to transmit the data.

RFID-enabled smart cards These are more secure and faster than proxy cards for access control. They are the only ones who can communicate with RFID card readers, allowing for advanced encryption. Furthermore, the cards include built-in processors that aid in card user authentication via a single-use encrypted code. Because the code expires immediately after use, criminals will have a difficult time cloning the card.

Advantages of RFID Access Cards

Control Automation. When you use RFID access cards, you eliminate the possibility of costly human errors. Unlike human security officers, these electronic cards never tire, never grant access to the wrong people, and are impervious to engineered attacks.

Capability to collect data Access control cards enable you to collect and store data that can aid in decision-making. For example, you can easily analyze your employees' punctuality, allowing you to spot irregular patterns before they cause havoc.

Remote administration. When you use access control cards, you can access all of the data from a single location. This feature allows you to manage multiple departments without difficulty.

Scalability and affordability The cost of obtaining new cards is extremely low. As a result, getting cards for new employees is simple. You can also integrate the RFID card system with other management portals to create a centralized management point.

RFID Card Applications

RFID cards can be used for more than just access control and contactless payments. They are as follows:

Library Management. RFID cards can be used to manage library inventory. When visiting the library, students must bring their RFID library cards with them. The card will then be used to store all of the student's information. For example, borrowed books, expected return dates, and other critical information.

Management of Events. RFID technology has been used by event organizers to improve logistics. All attendees are given RFID cards that allow them to enter the event venue and make purchases there. Furthermore, the use of RFID cards allows them to gain access to their customers' data for better planning.

Healthcare Administration. The use of RFID cards in hospitals aids in the reduction of medication errors and the provision of the best possible care to patients. Each patient will be issued an RFID card with a unique identifier code. After scanning this card, the doctor will immediately know whether a specific medication is being administered, the meal times, and any other important information about the patient.

Transportation Administration. RFID cards can be used to pay for transportation fees by passengers. To ensure that payments are processed in real time, the cards are directly linked to their bank accounts. Users will benefit from the cashless payment option because it is both healthy and convenient.